Dhoni is best captain: Kapil Dev

The 1983 World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev on Saturday showered kudos on the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni saying India has got the best ever captain in him.

"I have no doubt of his (Dhoni) ability," Kapil Dev said and noted that winning of the World Cup under the present captain was much tougher than in 1983.

"Cricket competition is becoming tougher and tougher and winning the next World Cup will be the toughest," the former all rounder said.

Citing some of the successes under the present skipper, Kapil Dev said he believes that under Dhoni India´s cricket is in safe hand.

He said "For example, winning the Champions Trophy in England without having big guns like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly, all credit should go to the captain and the young boys."

Answering a question Kapil Dev said he would not comment about the leadership of Virat Kholi in the West Indies.

"We should respect a leader like Dhoni because of his guidance, all the young boys have been delivering the best for the country."

He also lauded Ravindra Jadeja saying India has gotten an established all rounder, especially the young was setting standard for fielding.

Kapil Dev, however, refused to answer much about the controversies, like spot fixing in the IPL 6 and said, "We all should shun negative aspect of the sport and support for the positive thing."

"Winning the tournaments would sink all negative things but at the same time we should try to maintain a clean cricket as it would unite the country."

He said, "Cricket is the only thing which can unite the country."

On Gautam Gambhir and Virender Shewag, Dev said they should now show their worth and claim their position in the Indian squad.

On DRS Kapil Dev said it was the matter for the ICC and the cricketers should play their game.

"You cannot make everyone happy," he said on the controversial DRS.

Kapil Dev was here at the invitation of the Cricket Association of Bengal´s annual awards function, where former Ranji Trophy pacer Samar Chakraborty was given lifetime achievement award by CAB president Jagmohan Dalmiya.